# FUNCTIONAL REGRESSION IN MENTALLY RETARDED ADULTS

> **NIH NIH R29** · INSTITUTE FOR BASIC RES IN DEV DISABIL · 1992 · $76,358

## Abstract

Recent improvements in medical care have markedly increased
the life span of individuals with Down syndrome, and many older
people with Down syndrome exhibit changes in health and
functional capacities suggestive of premature or accelerated
aging.  Indeed, there is strong evidence that there is in this
population a unique susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease.
However, existing studies of the association between Down
syndrome and Alzheimer's disease have been limited with respect
to their design, sample size, and subject selection criteria.

The present investigation will collect longitudinal data regarding
age-related changes in adaptive behavior in a large group of
middle aged to older people with Down syndrome, and compare
them to a matched group without Down syndrome.  Matching
variables will be age, sex, residential placement, and severity of
mental retardation.  Adaptive behavior will be assessed using the
A.A.M.D. Adaptive Behavior Scale, a standardized and reliable
instrument.  The largest and most representative sample of older
people with Down syndrome will be studied, and the most
accurate data on the aging in mentally retarded individuals
collected to date will be provided.

If, as we expect, people with Down syndrome do regress in
functioning as they age, results of this study will be used to
describe the progression of symptoms.  Additionally, because a
high rate of autopsy among study participants who die is
anticipated, a determination of the relationship between the
extent of regression in adaptive behavior and neuropathological
changes diagnostic of Alzheimer's disease will be made.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199066
- **Project number:** 5R29HD024170-05
- **Recipient organization:** INSTITUTE FOR BASIC RES IN DEV DISABIL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** LKEPMM3KKF27
- **Principal Investigator:** WARREN B ZIGMAN
- **Activity code:** R29 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $76,358
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-09-01 → 1995-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199066

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199066, FUNCTIONAL REGRESSION IN MENTALLY RETARDED ADULTS (5R29HD024170-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199066. Licensed CC0.

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